A dad in Bury, England, has revealed his horrible heartbreak after his young daughter, a six-year-old named Isla whom he described as “the happiest little girl you could have ever met” passed away, “dying suddenly” just hours after he tucked her into bed for the night.
That dad, David, said that he remembered taking her out to have fun earlier that day and they did one of her favorite activities, walking up and down an escalator, with her laughter echoing around as they had fun together.
But, as she got ready for bedtime, David realized that “something wasn’t right” because she “climbed into bed but wouldn’t settle down” for the night.
So, after realizing that something was going on, David rushed Isla to a hospital. Unfortunately, the hospital couldn’t save her and she died suddenly on October 8th of 2022.
According to the Metro, a UK paper, Isla’s cause of death is unclear but was possibly a heart attack or other medical event, such as a seizure, stemming from Long QT syndrome, an inherited heart condition that she was diagnosed with at birth. Reporting on that, the Metro said:
The schoolgirl was diagnosed at birth with Long QT syndrome or LQTS – an inherited heart condition that results in an irregular heartbeat.
It is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young, otherwise healthy people, according to the NHS website, and is thought to affect one in 2,000 people, many of whom do not display symptoms.
The condition meant Isla’s heart muscle took longer than usual to recharge between beats, putting her at risk of sudden fainting.
David, speaking aobut Isla, her life, and her happiness, said:
“It feels like yesterday that she would come and climb on my knee, yet it feels like a lifetime ago. I can see the impact she had on other people and it’s been comforting. I was by her side in hospital the whole time. Time seems to flash by but it was like slow motion. I wouldn’t have wanted her to be suffering. If she came back around, I wanted her to still be the happy little girl she was. She was the happiest little girl you could have ever met.“
He added that “While bittersweet, it is a huge comfort to me knowing that Isla’s story has inspired a potential cure for Long QT and is helping in the battle against cancer. She may go on to save countless lives.”
Isla, during her short life, helped raise over $15 million for the research of Long QT syndrome by becoming a mascot for a company working to treat conditions including Long QT syndrome. Her father also co-founded a charity called Team 1C, which offers support for children and families affected by cardiac conditions.
Further, the Metro reports that “David is also fundraising for Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Children’s Charity to honour Isla’s memory” and also reports that “For more information and to donate, click here.”
Featured image credit: image of Isla Hutton by David Hutton
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